Method and system for providing an audio conference

ABSTRACT

A method and system for providing an audio conference includes receiving audio from a moderator via a circuit-switched telephone network, transmitting a representation of the audio to a first listener group via the circuit-switched telephone network, and transmitting a representation of the audio to a second listener group via a packet-switched network. The audio conference is preferably transmitted to the first listener group and the second listener group in real-time or near real-time (e.g., within a few seconds). Although the method and system could be used with any suitable circuit-switched telephone network, the method and system are preferably used with a public switched telephone network. Further, although the method and system could be used with any suitable packet-switched network, the method and system are preferably used with the Internet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAMLISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC AND ANINCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF THE MATERIAL ON THE COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Technical Field

This invention relates generally to the audio conference field, and morespecifically to an improved method and system for providing an audioconference in real-time or near real-time with streaming audio.

B. Background

There are several methods and systems that facilitate an audioconference between a moderator, one or more guests and severallisteners. At the very basic level, a radio talk show uses the radiospectrum to transmit audio from the moderator, and uses the telephonenetwork to receive audio from a listener. In the digital realm, servicessuch as SKYPECAST use the Internet to transmit audio from the moderatorand to receive audio from a listener. The radio talk show requires thelistener to have both a radio and a telephone, while the SKYPECASTservice requires the listener to have a computer, a downloaded andinstalled client on their computer, and a microphone.

Thus, there is a need in the field of audio conferences for an audioconference system and method that simplifies the requirements of theuser and/or broadens the available audience. This invention providessuch method and system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method ofproviding an audio conference in near real time. In the method, audio isreceived from a moderator via a network. Then, a representation of theaudio is transmitted to one or more first listener(s) via a publicswitched telephone network, and a representation of the audio istransmitted to one or more second listener(s) via the Internet.

In one version, the method further comprises the step of providing themoderator with a telephone number that corresponds to a moderatorposition within the audio conference. The telephone number can be postedon a web page or provided in an advertisement typically distributed tothe public.

In another version, the method further comprises the step of maintainingthe conference upon disconnection of the moderator from the conferenceto permit the moderator to re-connect into the conference. Assuming thatthe moderator calls back into the conference, the moderator isreconnected.

The first listener can be provided with a telephone number thatcorresponds to a listener position within the audio conference, and thesecond listener can be provided with a URL that corresponds to alistener position within the audio conference. In this version of theinvention, an encoded and streaming representation of the audio istransmitted to the second listener via the Internet.

In another version of the present invention, information related to theaudio conference can be displayed to the moderator via the Internet. Theinformation can include the caller identification of the first listener,or the number of listeners that receive the representation of the audiovia the PSTN, or the number of listeners that receive the representationof the audio via the PSTN and via the Internet. The information can bedisplayed to the moderator using the Internet and an Internet browser.

In yet another version of the present invention, a signal indicating adesire to contribute audio to the audio conference from the firstlistener can be accepted. For example, the signal can include one ormore dialed tones on the PSTN. Once the signal is accepted, the firstlistener is joined into the audio conference and audio is received fromthe first listener via the public switched network, for example, and arepresentation of the audio from the first listener is transmitted tothe second listener.

In another aspect of the present invention, an input from the moderatorvia the Internet to play an audio file can be accepted, and arepresentation of the audio file is transmitted to the first and secondlisteners.

In each of the embodiments described above, a representation of theaudio conference (including audio file(s) played) can be recorded forpurposes of archival or later playing, or streamed in real-time tovirtually any listener wishing to listen to the audio conference.

In another version, the present invention relates to a computer programproduct that, when executed by a machine, provides an audio conferencein real time. The computer program product includes instructions toreceive audio from a moderator via a public switched telephone network,instructions to transmit a representation of the audio to a firstlistener via the PSTN; and instructions to transmit a representation ofthe audio to a second listener via the Internet.

In another version, the present invention relates to a method foradministrating network-based audio conferencing. The method includes thesteps of enabling a two-way audio conference between a moderator and aguest, encoding, in real-time, audio data indicative of the two-wayaudio conference in a streaming format; and publishing a representationof the audio data in the streaming format in real-time. The step ofpublishing is can be implemented by storing the audio data in thestreaming format on computer readable medium accessible by a streamingserver having a URL; and providing a hyperlink to the URL of thestreaming server on a web page to publish the stored audio data.

In yet another version, the present invention relates to an audio serversystem for establishing two-way audio communication between a moderatorterminal and a guest terminal. The audio server system comprises aconferencing system and a media encoder. The conferencing system enablestwo-way audio communication between the moderator terminal and the guestterminal. The media encoder receives audio data representative of thetwo-way audio communication, and encodes the audio data representativeof the two-way audio communication in a streaming format. The audioserver system also includes means for publishing, while the two-wayaudio communication between the moderator terminal and the guestterminal is ongoing, the two-way audio communication in a streamingformat.

In yet another version, the present invention relates to an audio serversystem for establishing two-way audio communication between a moderatorterminal and a guest terminal, the audio server system being accessibleby a listener terminal via the Internet. The audio server systemincludes a conferencing system, a media encoder, a streaming server, anda web server. The conferencing system enables two-way audiocommunication between the moderator terminal and the guest terminal. Themedia encoder receives audio data representative of the two-way audiocommunication in real-time, and encodes the audio data representative ofthe two-way audio communication in a streaming format. The media encoderstores the two-way audio communication in the streaming format on one ormore computer readable medium. The streaming server has a URL and alsohas access to the two-way audio communication in the streaming format.The web server provides a web page having a hyperlink including the URLof the streaming server whereby upon activation of the hyperlink by thelistener terminal, the listener terminal is directed to the URL of thestreaming server to stream the two-way audio communication to thelistener terminal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

So that the above recited features and advantages of the presentinvention can be understood in detail, a more particular description ofthe invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to theembodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. It isto be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typicalembodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be consideredlimiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equallyeffective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an audio conference systemconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an audio server systemconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 are exemplary “upload files” and “moderator status” web pagesgenerated by a web server of the audio server system in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary “Segments” web page generated by the web serverof the audio server system in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary “Show Notes” web page generated by the web serverof the audio server system in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is another exemplary “moderator status” web page generated by theweb server of the audio server system in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 7 is yet another exemplary “moderator status” web page generated bythe web server of the audio server system in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is another exemplary “moderator status” web page generated by theweb server of the audio server system in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary “segment/archives” web page generated by the webserver of the audio server system in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b cooperate to illustrate an “edit profile” web pagegenerated by the web server of the audio server system in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates an “invite listeners” web page generated by the webserver of the audio server system in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate web pages generated by the web server of theaudio server system in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention for automating the placement of buttons or hyperlinks on amoderator's web page.

FIG. 14 illustrates a “featured shows” web page generated by the webserver of the audio server system in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiments of the inventionis not intended to limit the invention to these preferred embodiments,but rather to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use thisinvention. Presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown inthe above-identified figures and described in detail below. Indescribing the preferred embodiments, like or identical referencenumerals are used to identify common or similar elements. The figuresare not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views ofthe figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in theinterest of clarity and conciseness.

1. Hardware of the System

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is a computer-based system andmethod which administrates network-based audio conferencing enablingusers to schedule, moderate, and attend network-based conferences,without manual system administration. One preferred use of the presentinvention is to schedule and administer one or more simultaneous talkshows. As will be described in more detail below, in a preferredembodiment, the computer-based system is a platform that allows a personto moderate a live talk show online using only a telephone and acomputer terminal having access to the Internet and a web browser.

Referring to FIG. 1, shown therein is a block diagram of an exemplaryaudio conferencing system 10 suitable for implementing embodiments ofthe present invention. The audio conferencing system 10 includes one ormore audio server system 12; one or more moderator terminal 14; one ormore guest terminals 16; one or more listener terminals 18 a and 18 b;and one or more network 20 a and 20 b. Only one of the audio serversystem 12, one or the moderator terminal 14, one or the guest terminals16, two listener terminals 18 a and 18 b; and two networks 20 a and 20 bare shown in FIG. 1 for purposes of clarity.

The moderator terminal 14 includes a computer terminal 22 and a two-wayaudio communication device 24, such as a landline telephone, mobiletelephone, VOIP, soft phone or the like, indirectly connected to theaudio server system 12 via the networks 20 a and 20 b. Although thetwo-way audio communication device 24 is shown separately, the two-wayaudio communication device 24 can be implemented as a part of thecomputer terminal 22 so long as such computer terminal 22 is adapted foraudio communication. For example, the computer terminal 22 can beprovided with a suitable microphone and speaker system. In addition, thetwo-way audio communication device 24 can be adapted to communicate withthe audio server system 12 using either the network 20 a or 20 b. Asdiscussed below, the computer terminal 22 is preferably provided with aweb browser to permit the moderator to access a variety of informationprovided by the audio server system 12 regarding the network-basedconferences. Such information may include call-in telephone numbers,scheduling information or the like and is preferably provided on aweb-page.

The network 20 a may be a packetized or packet-switched network such asthe world's public IP-based packet-switched networks, also known as theInternet or some other network-type, such as a wide area network (WAN)or local area network (LAN). The network 20 b may be a circuit-switchednetwork such as a public switched network typically used to maketelephone calls, i.e., the network of the world's publiccircuit-switched telephone networks, also known as the PSTN. However, itshould be understood that the networks 20 a or 20 b may be provided asother types of networks, such as a cellular telephone network. Forpurposes of clarity, the network 20 a will be referred to hereinafter asa “packetized” or “packet-switched” network, and the network 20 b willbe referred to hereinafter as a “switched network”. In a preferredembodiment, the two-way audio communication device 24 is a conventionaltelephone provided separately from the computer terminal 22 andcommunicates with the audio server system 12 via the switched network 20b.

The guest terminal 16 is also provided with a two-way audiocommunication device 30, which is shown by way of example as a telephoneconnected to the switched network 20 b. However, it should be understoodthat the communication device 30 can be implemented in other manners,such as a computer terminal having suitable software and a microphoneand speaker, or a landline telephone, mobile telephone, soft phone orvoice over internet telephone. In addition, the guest terminal 16 mayalso be provided with a computer terminal (not shown) having access tothe network 20 a and also having a web browser to permit the guest toaccess a variety of information provided by the audio server system 12regarding the network-based conferences. Such information may includecall-in telephone numbers, scheduling information or the like and ispreferably provided on a web-page.

The listener terminals 18 include a computer terminal 34 for accessing avariety of information provided by the audio server system 12, such ascall-in telephone numbers, scheduling information, one-way audio streamsof real-time or near real-time network based audio conferences, orstored audio streams of past (not real-time) audio conferences. Thelistener terminals 18 may also include a separate one-way communicationdevice 36 permitting the listener to listen to audio streams ofreal-time or near real-time network based audio conferences. The one-waycommunication device 36 can be implemented, by way of example, as atwo-way communication device, such as a landline telephone, mobiletelephone, soft phone or voice over internet telephone, only allowingthe listener to listen to the audio streams of real-time or nearreal-time or past network based audio conferences.

The computer terminal 22, or 34 may be a computer having an Internetconnection, for example through a direct Internet connection, a LAN, orthrough an Internet service provider. The computer terminals 22 or 34may be a windows-based PC, a Macintosh, a cellular telephone or apersonal data assistant for example. The computer terminals 22 or 34preferably include speakers and web-browser software, such asMicrosoft's “Internet Explorer” or Netscape's “Navigator”, havingaudio/video player software such as RealNetwork's “Real Player” orWindows® Media Player for receiving media streams. The computer terminal22 may also include a microphone and software for audio output/input topermit two-way audio communication with the audio server system 12.

One embodiment of the audio server system 12 is shown in more detail inFIG. 2. The audio server system 12 is provided with one or moreinterface devices 40 a and 40 b for interfacing the audio server system12 with the networks 20. In the example shown, the interface device 40 ais shown as a telecom switch 40 a for communicating with the switchednetwork 20 b, and the interface device 40 b is shown as one or moremedia gateway, and firewall 40 b for communicating with the packetizednetwork 20 a.

The audio server system 12 is also provided with a conferencing system44, a web server 46, one or more NFS servers 47, one or more real-timemedia encoder 48 a, one or more archive media encoder 48 b and astreaming server 50. The moderator terminal 14, and the guestterminal(s) 16 communicate with the conferencing system 44 via thenetworks 20 a, 20 b and interface devices 40 a and 40 b to provide atelephone conference connection for two-way audio communication duringthe network based audio conference. The listener terminal(s) 18communicate with the conferencing system 44, or the streaming server 50to receive one-way or two-way communication during the network basedaudio conference. When the listener terminal(s) 18 communicate with theconferencing system 44 in a two-way manner, i.e., unmuted, such listenerterminal(s) 18 are functioning as guest terminal(s) 16.

The real-time media encoder 48 a receives, in real-time or nearreal-time, the audio data (or a representation thereof) of the networkbased audio conference and converts such audio data (or a representationthereof) into a streaming media format. Such audio data in the streamingmedia format is then passed to the streaming server 50. The streamingserver 50 receives the audio data in the streaming media format, andthen, as will be discussed in more detail below provides the audio datain the streaming media format to the listener computers 18 via eitherthe network 20 a.

During the audio conference, the conferencing system 44 outputs arepresentation of the audio data to the NFS server 47 to record therepresentation of the audio data and save such representation as a file.Once the audio conference is over, the file is output to the archivemedia encoder 48 b, which encodes the representation of the audio datainto a streaming format, and provides such representation of the audiodata to the streaming server 50. A hyperlink or button may then beprovided to a web page provided by the web server 46 containing a URLdirecting a listener terminal 18 to the representation of the audio datain the streaming format hosted by the streaming server 50. It should beunderstood that the real-time media encoder 48 a and the archive mediaencoder 48 b can be implemented as a same media encoder, or separately.

The audio server system 12 also includes the web server 46. The webserver 46 functions as an interface between the conferencing system 44and the streaming server 50 of the audio server system 12 and thenetwork 20 a, and runs web server software (stored on one or morecomputer readable medium) to generate and deliver various web pages fordisplay at the moderator, guest and listener terminals 14, 16 and 18. Asdiscussed in detail below, such web pages delivered by the web server 46include various input sections and graphical user interfaces (GUIs)which enable (1) remote moderator users to interactively schedule,setup, and control two-way communication access to the network basedaudio conference, (2) remote guest users to interactively join,communicate with the moderator and listen to the network based audioconference, and (3) remote listeners to listen to the network basedaudio conference or become guests. The web server 46 enables remotelisteners to listen to the real-time or near real-time network basedaudio conference by connecting the listener terminals 18 to thestreaming server 50. In one embodiment, the web server 46 can alsoconnect the listener terminal 18 to the conferencing system 44. Thisfeature is described in more detail below.

In a preferred embodiment, the various web pages provided by the webserver 46 are available to the public via the network 20 a and the webserver 46 connects listener terminals 18 to the streaming server 50without typically requiring any authentication, invitation orverification (in certain instances authentication or verification may berequired, such as when the show includes explicit material—and—incertain instances the moderator can send out invitations to promotetheir show). So, the network based audio conference is made availablefor essentially any listener having a listener terminal 18 capable ofaccessing the web server 46 and having streaming media software loadedon their listener terminal 18 for converting the representation of theaudio data in the streaming media format into sound. As will bediscussed in more detail below, due to the compatibility of the audioserver system 12 with the packetized network 20 a and the switchednetwork 20 b the moderator(s), guest(s) and listener(s) can setup,schedule, participate and/or listen to the network based audioconference utilizing conventional telephones and computers having webbrowsers. Therefore, in one preferred embodiment, the moderator terminal14, the guest terminal 16 and the listener terminal 18 do not requireany software specifically adapted to communicate solely with the audioserver system 12.

2. Overview of function of the Audio Conferencing System 10

During a network based audio conference, audio is received by theconferencing system 44 from the two-way communication device 24, e.g.,the telephone, of the moderator terminal 14 via the network 20 b. Theconferencing system 44 transmits a representation of the audio to guestterminal(s) 16 or listener terminal(s) 18 in a first listener group viathe network 20 b, and also transmits (or at least makes available) arepresentation of the audio to guest terminal(s) 16 or listenerterminal(s) 18 in a second listener group via the packetized network 20a. The audio conference is preferably transmitted to the first listenergroup and the second listener group in real-time or near real-time(e.g., within a time delay of a few seconds).

Preferably, a moderator is a person who wishes to transmit voice, music,or any other suitable audio for one or more talk shows and utilizes themoderator terminal 14 to communicate with the audio server system 12 viathe network 20 a or 20 b. From the standpoint of the system 10, themoderator is preferably identified by a password (such as a PIN), butmay be identified by any suitable method, such as CallerID or voicesignature. Preferably, a talk show is scheduled for a particular day andtime and may be scheduled for a particular timeslot (including starttime and end time). The talk show is preferably associated with aparticular moderator (or moderators). A talk show can preferably bedescribed as ‘scheduled’, ‘pre-show’, ‘in progress’, or ‘completed’. Theweb server 46 can be adapted to permit the moderator to invite guests orlisteners to the audio conference. In this regard, the moderator canlogin to a computer system hosted by the web server 46 and customize andsend e-mail invites to friends and colleagues.

A “guest” is a listener who wishes to listen to the talk show and alsoengage in two-way communication with the moderator(s) during the talkshow. From the standpoint of the system 10, the guest may be identifiedby a password (such as a PIN), or any other suitable method, such asCallerID or voice signature.

A “listener,” or “first listener”, or “second listener” is a person whowishes to listen to the talk show and receive the voice, music, or othersuitable audio from the moderator and/or guest. From the standpoint ofthe system 10, a listener is preferably not authenticated or verified byany particular method such as a password (such as a PIN), callerID orvoice signature, although certainly the telephone number, IP address orother identifier of the listener terminal 18 may be automaticallyprovided to the audio server system 12 for an identification of thelistener terminal 18.

A first listener group is one or more listeners or guests in separatelocations. A second listener group is one or more listeners or guests inseparate locations from the listeners or guests in the first listenergroup.

A “computer readable medium”, as used herein, refers to a device capableof storing data in a format that can be read by a computer. Examples of“computer readable mediums” include a memory, a magnetic disk, anoptical disk or a tape.

3. Receiving and Transmitting Audio

A person seeking to be a “moderator” typically visits the web server 46utilizing their moderator computer 22 and signs up for a show and agreesto a password. Then, the web server 46 provides the moderator with amoderator telephone number. After the moderator signs up for a show andagrees to a password, the moderator preferably calls the moderatortelephone number and identifies themselves with the password, as shownin FIG. 2 to connect to the conferencing system 44. If there is a showscheduled to start within a predetermined period (such as 15 minutes),an audio signal is transmitted to the moderator (as a pre-recordedvoice) indicating the time until the start of the show. During the talkshow, audio is typically passed from the moderator terminal 14 via thenetwork 20 b to the conferencing system 44. The audio may be transmittedthrough the circuit-switched telephone network 20 b using any suitableaudio codec. Preferably, the telecom switch 40 a evaluates the caller IDof the moderator, and uses the G.729 audio codec for phone calls from aninternational (or remote) location and the PCMU audio codec for phonecalls from a domestic (or nearby) location. However, other types ofaudio codecs could be used.

Then, a representation of the audio is transmitted to the guest terminal16 or listener terminal 18 of one or more listeners or guests in a firstlistener group via the telecom switch 40 a and network 20 b to deliver arepresentation of the voice, music, or any other suitable audio from themoderator to one or more guests and listeners. The representation of theaudio may be an exact representation of the voice, music, or any othersuitable audio transmitted from the moderator. The representation of theaudio, however, is preferably a compressed, filtered, censored, orotherwise processed version of the voice, music, or any other suitableaudio transmitted from the moderator. The audio may be transmittedthrough the circuit-switched telephone network 20 b using any suitableaudio codec. Preferably, the audio method and system evaluates thecaller ID of the moderator, and uses the G.729 audio codec for phonecalls from an international (or remote) location and the PCMU audiocodec for phone calls from a domestic (or nearby) location. However,other types of codecs could be used.

The audio server system 10 preferably provides the first listener groupwith a listener telephone number that corresponds to a particularmoderator or show. The listener telephone number is typically providedto the guests or listeners in the first listener group by posting thelistener telephone number on a web page associated with the particularmoderator or show provided by the web server 46. However, the listenertelephone number can be provided in other manners, such as by includingthe listener telephone number in advertisements for the talk show.

When a first listener calls the listener telephone number, theconferencing system 44 may be configured to play an audio clip (such asa “greeting”) associated with the particular moderator or show. If thereis a show scheduled to start within a predetermined period (such as 15minutes), the conferencing system 44 preferably transmits an audiosignal to the first listener (as a pre-recorded voice) indicating thetime until the start of the show. Although the audio conference system10 preferably does not require a password from the first listener, thesystem 10 may require a password from the first listener in certainsituations (e.g., shows with explicit material).

The audio server system 12 can also transmit or pass a representation ofthe audio to a second listener group in real-time or near real-time viathe network 20 a. Because the audio received from the moderatortypically occurs over a circuit-switched telephone network 20 b, therepresentation of the audio is typically not an exact representation ofthe voice, music, or other suitable audio transmitted from themoderator. The representation of the audio is automatically provided tothe media encoder 48 a, and the NFS server 47 from the conferencingsystem 44. The NFS server 47 records the representation of the audio (inreal-time or near real-time) and saves the representation as a file. Thereal-time streaming of the representation of the audio is preferablyaccomplished by setting the media encoder 48 a up as a “listener” of theaudio conference. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by placing aninbound or outbound phone call to the media encoder 48 a by theconferencing system 44 to connect the media encoder 48 a as a “listener”of the audio conference. Preferably, the connection between theconferencing system 44 and the media encoder 48 a utilizes a highquality codec.

As discussed above, the audio stream can be provided to the listener orthe guest utilizing either the network 20 a or 20 b. To listen to theaudio stream utilizing the network 20 a, the listener or guest utilizestheir guest terminal 16 or listener terminal 18 to browse a web pageassociated with the moderator or talk show. The web page can be providedwith suitable hyperlink(s) (see for example the hyperlink 174 shown inFIG. 14) adapted to provide a listener URL that corresponds to aparticular moderator or show to the listener terminal 18 preferably uponactivation by the listener. When the listener points their web browserto the particular URL, the audio server system 12 connects the listenerterminal 18 to the streaming server 50 to connect the listener to theaudio stream. This can be implemented by the web server 46 sending asignal via a signal path 53 a to the streaming server 50 to activate thestreaming server 50 to connect to the listener terminal 18 via a signalpath 53 b, or by the web server 46 providing the listener URL to thelistener terminal 18 and then the listener terminal 18 connecting to thestreaming server 50 via the signal path 53 b. The signal paths 53 a and53 b are shown separately for purposes of illustration, however, thesignal paths 53 a and 53 b could be the same or different.

To connect to the audio conference via the network 20 b, the moderator,guest or listener uses their terminal 14, 16 or 18 to dial into theaudio conference utilizing a “call-in” number. Or, the moderator, guestor listener can utilize their terminal 14, 16 or 18 to view a web pagefrom the web server 46 and actuate a hyperlink that actuates an outboundcall to connect to the conferencing system 44 using Voice Over IP viathe networks 20 a and the media gateways, firewall 40 b.

The streaming server 50 may be configured to play an audio and/or videoclip (such as a “greeting”) associated with the particular moderator orshow. If there is a show scheduled to start within a predeterminedperiod (such as 15 minutes), the system 10 preferably include a step oftransmitting an audio and/or video signal to the listener indicating thetime until the start of the show. Although the system 10 preferably doesnot require a password from the second listener, the system 10 mayrequire a password from the second listener in certain situations (e.g.,shows with explicit material).

3. Example Implementation

FIGS. 3-9 are exemplary web pages generated by a web server of the audioserver system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.In particular, FIGS. 3-9 illustrate exemplary web pages enabling themoderator to control the network-based audio conference in accordancewith the present invention.

Shown in FIG. 3 is an exemplary “upload files” web page 100 generated bythe web server 46 of the audio server system 12 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The “upload files” web page 100 hasan upload file area to permit the moderator to upload sound files to theaudio server system 12 for playing during the audio conference. Thesound files can be in any suitable format, such as .wav, .wma or .mp3format. When the moderator is hosting the audio conference, the uploadfiles page will include a “play button” or other suitable hyperlinkpermitting the moderator to play the sound files during the audioconference.

Shown in FIGS. 3, 6, 7 and 8 are exemplary “moderator status” web pages102 generated by the web server 46 of the audio server system 12. The“moderator status” web page 102 includes the current status of the audioconference. As shown in FIG. 3, the moderator does not currently haveany shows scheduled. As shown in FIG. 6, the web page 102 indicates thatthe show will start in 1 minute and 4 seconds. As shown in FIG. 7, theweb page 102 indicates that the show has started and that the moderatorneeds to call into the show. As shown in FIG. 8, the show has startedand one listener or speaker, i.e., guest, is currently listening to theshow.

Referring to FIG. 4, shown therein is an exemplary “Segments” web page108 generated by the web server 46 of the audio server system 12. The“segments” web page 108 includes a variety of fields permitting themoderator to schedule various information with respect to a proposedtalk show, such as segment title, segment length, genre, rating, orsegment tags. In addition, the “segments” web page 108 includes ascheduling area 110 permitting the moderator to select the date and timeof the proposed talk show, as well as a select button 112 enabling themoderator to submit the schedule of the proposed talk show.

Referring to FIG. 5, shown therein is an exemplary “Show Notes” web page114 generated by the web server 46 of the audio server system 12. The“show notes web page 114 has a note area 116 permitting the moderator toprovide notes to listeners or guests. Once notes are entered into the“show notes” web page, such notes are then provided to listeners orguests of the show by the web server 46.

Referring to FIG. 9, shown therein is an exemplary “segment/archives”web page 120 generated by the web server 46 of the audio server system12. The segment archives web page provides a list of prior shows,organized by moderator, which have been recorded and are available tolisten to.

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b cooperate to illustrate an “edit profile” web page130 generated by the web server 46 of the audio server system 12. Theweb page 130 includes a variety of fields 132 a-p for collectinginformation related to the moderator. Examples of such informationinclude first name, last name, display name, URL address for linking tothe moderator's home page, instant messaging program, instant messagingscreen name, country of residence, language of show, time zone, e-mailaddress, contact telephone number, overall show name, description ofshow, rating, and overall category for submitting the show to podcastdirectories automatically, and a picture or logo for the show.

FIG. 11 illustrates an “invite listeners” web page 140 generated by theweb server of the audio server system in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. The web page 140 includes a variety of fields142, 144 and 146 which permit the moderator to enter their e-mailaddress, and the name and e-mail address of the invitee. Then, the webserver 46 utilizes the information in such fields, along with the show'sschedule to send out invitations to potential listeners.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate web pages 150 and 160 generated by the webserver 46 of the audio server system 12 for automating the placement ofbuttons or hyperlinks on the moderator's web page. For example, the webpage 150 includes one or more fields 152 and 154 containing instructionsthat can be copied and pasted onto the moderator's web page to form abutton or hyperlink linking the moderator's web page with either a URLassociated with a past or ongoing show to permit a connection to thestreaming server 50. The moderator web page is typically not hosted bythe web server 46. For example, the moderator could have a separate blogor web-site. It should be understood that the instructions in the fields152 can be different to provide either different functionality ordifferent style buttons or hyperlinks. Likewise, the web page 160includes a field 162 containing instructions that can be copied andpasted onto the moderator's web page to form a button or hyperlink fordownloading and setting up a suitable media player.

FIG. 14 illustrates a “featured shows” web page 170 generated by the webserver 46 of the audio server system 12. The web page 170 includes afeatured show area 172 listing featured shows. In particular, it shouldbe noted that in this example, the featured show area 172 includes afeatured show (the Alan Levy show) that is ongoing, i.e., “on air”. Whena show is “on air”, the featured show area 172 is provided with a buttonor hyperlink 174 permitting the viewer to connect to the streamingserver 50 to hear the real-time or near real-time audio stream of theaudio conference.

The web page 170 also includes a login area 176 permitting moderators tologin to their account. The web page 170 also includes a variety ofadvertising areas 178 and 180.

In the preferred embodiment, the starting of the show includes: playinga 5-second countdown to the start of the show to the moderator, updatingthe status of the show in a database, starting the transmission of audioto both the first listener group and the second listener group to theaudio conference, transmitting a jingle corresponding to the companythat provides the audio conference services, and transmitting a greetingfor the particular moderator or show. At this point, the show is inprogress—the moderator is able to send audio into the audio conferenceand the listeners will be able to hear the audio. In addition, in apreferred embodiment, the conferencing system 44 sends a beep or othersignal only to the moderator terminal 14 when a new guest or listener isadded to the show.

In the preferred embodiment, the ending of the show includes:transmitting a countdown to the end of the show, a “goodbye” for theparticular moderator or show, and an end prompt corresponding to thecompany that provides the audio conference services, terminating thetransmission via the networks 20 a and 20 b, de-allocating the mediaserver resources, and updating the status of the show in a database.

In the preferred embodiment, the conferencing system 44 of the audioserver system 10 is programmed to reconnect a moderator upon adisconnection of the moderator from the audio conference without endingthe audio conference. That is, a moderator may become improperlydisconnected from the audio conference through an accidental hang-up,through a fault of the telephone network, through the fault of thecompany providing the audio conference service, or through any othermethod. After such disconnection, the conferencing system 44 preferablydoes not terminate the audio conference or stream for a predeterminedperiod (such as five minutes or until the scheduled end of the show) topermit the moderator to re-connect. During the five minutes, if themoderator preferably calls the moderator telephone number and isproperly identified (through a password or any other suitable method),then the moderator is immediately reconnected to the audio conference.The conferencing system 44 may transmit a “calling back into the show”prompt to the listeners or guests.

4. Variations on the Preferred Embodiments

The audio server system 12 preferably records a representation of theaudio. The recording may include a recording of part or all of a show.The form of the recording is preferably a MP3 format or other suitableformat that can be easily uploaded and downloaded via the Internet in aRSS, podcast, or other suitable manner. The recording of the audio ispreferably accomplished by writing to the NFS server 47 connecting theNFS server 47 as a “listen-only” participant of the audio conference.The recording may, however, be accomplished by any appropriate portionof the system. A link to the recording may be provided on a web page andprovided to listeners via the web server 46 after the termination of theaudio conference.

The web server 46 of the audio server system 12 may also provide webpages containing information to the moderator related to the audioconference via a packet-switched network 20 a (such as the Internet) anda web browser. The information is preferably provided in visual form,but may alternatively be provided in audio, tactile, or any othersuitable form. The information is preferably provided to the moderatorduring the show, in real-time or near real-time (within a few seconds).The information preferably includes information on the show, such as thescheduled start time, the scheduled end time, and/or a countdown to thescheduled end time. The information preferably includes information onthe listeners, such as one or more of the following: the number of firstlisteners in the first listener group, the CallerID of a first listenerin the first listener group, the number of second listeners in thesecond listener group, the (approximate or exact) location of the secondlisteners in the second listener group. Exemplary web pages are shown inFIGS. 3-13.

In a variation of the preferred embodiment described above, the methodand system may also include receiving input from the moderator via thepacket-switched network 20 b to allow a listener to add audio to theaudio conference. Preferably, a listener (of either the first listenergroup or the second listener group) signals to the moderator that theywish to contribute to the audio conference. A listener from the firstlistener group preferably uses a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal(such as “press ‘1’ on your touch-tone phone if you want to contributeto the audio conference). A listener from the second listener grouppreferably sends a SMS, an email, or clicks a button on their browser(such as “click here to contribute to the audio conference”). Upon suchsignal, the listener is added to a listener queue. The listener queue ispreferably ordered by the order in which the listener made a signal tocontribute, with earlier requests at the front of the listener queue.The listener queue is preferably provided to the moderator via apacket-switched network (such as the Internet) and a web browser.

After providing the listener queue to the moderator, the moderator maychoose to allow one or more of the listeners to contribute to the audioconference. The method and system preferably includes the step ofaccepting an input from the moderator via the Internet to join thelistener into the audio conference, receiving audio from the listener,and transmitting a representation of the audio from the listener to thefirst listener group via the circuit-switched telephone network, andtransmitting a representation of the audio from the listener to thesecond listener group via a packet-switched network. The step ofaccepting an input from the moderator via the Internet preferablyincludes accepting a simple “point and click” command from the moderatorvia a web browser, but may include any suitable method such asvoice-recognition (e.g., “now connecting caller on line #2”). The stepof accepting audio from the listener via a circuit-switched telephonenetwork functions to accept voice, music, or any other suitable audiotransmitted from the listener through the circuit-switched telephonenetwork. The audio may be transmitted through the circuit-switchedtelephone network using any suitable audio codec. Preferably, the methodand system evaluate the caller ID of the moderator, and use the G.729audio codec for phone calls from an international (or remote) locationand the PCMU audio codec for phone calls from a domestic (or nearby)location. However, other codecs could be used. The representation of theaudio may be an exact representation of the voice, music, or any othersuitable audio transmitted from the listener. The representation of theaudio, however, is preferably a compressed, filtered, censored, orotherwise processed version of the voice, music, or any other suitableaudio transmitted from the listener. The representation may include onlyaudio from the listener, or may include audio from both the listener andthe moderator.

In a further variation of the preferred embodiment described above, themoderator may control additional aspects of the audio conference inreal-time or near real-time via a packet-switched network (such as theInternet) and a web browser. The additional controls include: muting orun-muting a listener, increasing or decreasing the volume of a listener,calling a listener (with or without a private chat), disconnecting alistener, playing, pausing, and stopping an audio file that combineswith or substitutes for the audio from the moderator, and ending theaudio conference. The moderator can place an outdial call through theconferencing system 44 to connect a guest or listener. The outdialrequest preferably contains a parameter indicating whether or not toprovide a private chat with the listener prior to adding them to theaudio conference. The listener is preferably added to the audioconference in full-duplex mode.

As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the previous detaileddescription and from the figures and claims, modifications and changescan be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope of this invention defined in the followingclaims.

1. A method of providing an online communication platform, the methodcomprising: providing the online platform, by a conferencing server, toenable a moderator to establish a conference setup, wherein theconference setup enables the moderator to initiate a conference call viacontrol panels offered through the online platform, further wherein theconference setup enables the moderator to engage in real-timebi-directional communication with one or more quests that are invitedvia the online platform to participate in the conference call initiatedfrom the online control platform by the moderator; initiating, by theconferencing server, a first conference call subsequent to receiving arequest from the moderator via the online platform, the initiatingfurther including providing, by the online platform, informationenabling the moderator to invite one or more quests to participate inthe first conference call; and streaming substantially in real-time, bythe conferencing server, audio associated with the conference call tothe moderator, to the one or more quests, and to one or more listeners,wherein the one or more listeners listen in on the audio, the one ormore listeners connecting with the first conference call using one ormore online interfaces offered in conjunction with the online platform,the first conference call available as streaming media to the one ormore listeners via the one or more online interfaces, wherein the one ormore listeners are provided unidirectional communication capability ofonly receiving information associated with the conference call.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising providing the moderator with atelephone number that corresponds to a moderator position within theaudio conference.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprisingmaintaining the conference upon disconnection of the moderator from theconference, and reconnecting the moderator to the audio conference. 4.The method of claim 1, further comprising providing each of the one ormore guests with a telephone number that corresponds to a listenerposition within the audio conference.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising providing each of the one or more listeners with a URL thatcorresponds to a listener position within the audio conference.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein streaming the conference call to the one ormore listeners via the Internet includes encoding and streaming arepresentation of the audio.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising displaying information to the moderator related to the audioconference via the Internet.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein theinformation includes the caller identification of each of the one ormore quests.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising accepting asignal from each of the one or more quests indicating a desire tocontribute audio to the audio conference.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein the signal includes one or more dialed tones on the PSTN. 11.The method of claim 9, further comprising displaying information to themoderator related to the audio conference via the Internet.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein displaying information to the moderatorincludes displaying information to the moderator via the Internet and anInternet browser.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the informationincludes the indication from each of the one or more quests.
 14. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising accepting an input from themoderator via the Internet to play an audio file, wherein transmitting arepresentation of the audio to each of the one or more quests and toeach of the one or more listeners includes streaming a representation ofthe audio file.
 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising recordinga representation of the audio.
 16. A server for providing an onlinecommunication platform, the server comprising: a network adapter throughwhich to communicate with a plurality of client devices via a network; amemory device coupled to the network adapter and configured to storecode corresponding to a series of operations for providing the onlinecommunication platform to one or more of the client devices, the seriesof operations including: providing the online platform, by aconferencing server, to enable a moderator to establish a conferencesetup, wherein the conference setup enables the moderator to initiate aconference call via control panels offered through the online platform,further wherein the conference setup enables the moderator to engage inreal-time bi-directional communication with one or more guests that areinvited via the online platform to participate in the conference callinitiated from the online control platform by the moderator; initiating,by the conferencing server, a first conference call subsequent toreceiving a request from the moderator via the online platform, theinitiating further including providing, by the online platform,information enabling the moderator to invite one or more guests toparticipate in the first conference call; and streaming substantially inreal-time, by the conferencing server, audio associated with theconference call to the moderator, to the one or more guests, and to oneor more listeners, wherein the one or more listeners listen in on theaudio, the one or more listeners connecting with the first conferencecall using one or more online interfaces offered in conjunction with theonline platform, the first conference call available as streaming mediato the one or more listeners via the one or more online interfaces,wherein the one or more listeners are provided unidirectionalcommunication capability of only receiving information associated withthe conference call.
 17. The server of claim 16, wherein the set ofoperations further comprises providing the moderator with a telephonenumber that corresponds to a moderator position within the audioconference.
 18. The server of claim 16, wherein the set of operationsfurther comprises maintaining the conference upon disconnection of themoderator from the conference, and reconnecting the moderator to theaudio conference.
 19. The server of claim 16, wherein the set ofoperations further comprises providing each of the one or more guestswith a telephone number that corresponds to a listener position withinthe audio conference.
 20. The server of claim 16, wherein the set ofoperations further comprises providing each of the one or more listenerswith a URL that corresponds to a listener position within the audioconference.
 21. The server of claim 16, wherein streaming the conferencecall to the one or more listeners via the Internet includes encoding andstreaming a representation of the audio.
 22. The server of claim 16,wherein the set of operations further comprises displaying informationto the moderator related to the audio conference via the Internet. 23.The server of claim 22, wherein the information includes the calleridentification of each of the one or more guests.
 24. The server ofclaim 16, wherein the set of operations further comprises accepting asignal from each of the one or more guests indicating a desire tocontribute audio to the audio conference.
 25. The server of claim 1,wherein the set of operations further comprises accepting an input fromthe moderator via the Internet to play an audio file, whereintransmitting a representation of the audio to each of the one or moreguests and to each of the one or more listeners includes streaming arepresentation of the audio file.
 26. The server of claim 1, wherein theset of operations further comprises recording a representation of theaudio.